Microplastics are fragments of plastic that are less than 5mm in length. They are found in cosmetics, clothing, food packaging, and industrial processes. These tiny particles cause pollution by entering natural ecosystems, and they are particularly harmful to the oceans. Microplastics do not break down into harmless molecules and adversely affect the health of marine organisms, which mistake plastic for food.

Moreover, these particles can trigger loss of biodiversity and threaten ecosystem balance. A new study has revealed that an estimated 170 trillion plastic particles, weighing about 2 million metric tons, are currently afloat in the oceans worldwide.

Findings of the New Study

From 1990 to 2005, the number of plastic particles more or less fluctuated. One of the reasons for this could be due to the effective implementation of important policy measures at the time. In the 1980s and 90s, there were some international policies, like MARPOL Annex 5 that enforced laws against dumping trash at sea.

However, the concentration of plastic particles, including microplastics, in the ocean has skyrocketed since the mid-2000s, and it continues to increase. If the world fails to take any drastic action about the issue, there will be a 2.6-fold increase in plastic flowing into aquatic environments by 2040.

Impact of Microplastics on Oceans and Marine Life

permanently sequestered.

  • Microplastics have a significant impact on the oceans and marine life.
  • Ingestion of microplastics can cause mechanical problems such as lacerations and blockages to internal systems.
  • Ingested plastics can also cause chemical problems by leaching absorb chemicals into organisms.
  • Microplastics absorb many hydrophobic compounds like DDT, PCBs, and other industrial chemicals, and evidence shows they can be released when ingested.
  • Microplastics can disrupt the carbon cycle of the oceans.
  • Normally, phytoplankton absorbs carbon and are eaten by zooplankton, who excrete the carbon in the form of faecal pellets that sink to the sea floor.
  • If zooplankton consume microplastics, their faecal pellets sink at a much slower rate.
  • Microplastics in the fecal pellets are more likely to break apart or be eaten by other animals.
  • This makes it less likely that the carbon will reach the seafloor and become permanently sequestered.
The Impact of Microplastics on the Oceans and Marine Life
Courtesy:Encounter Edu
Way Forward

There is an urgent need to implement a global resolution to limit the production of single-use, throwaway plastic. Cities should be responsible for managing their waste so it does not leave their territory. We need to reduce the amount of chemical additives in new plastic products. There have to be requirements that recycled plastic be used in new products. Industries have to legally be required to put at least 75% recycled plastic in any new product.

Why In News

According to a new study, there are approximately 170 trillion plastic particles currently floating in the oceans worldwide, with a total weight of about 2 million metric tons. This plastic pollution not only poses a threat to marine life but also to human health, as microplastics have been found in seafood and drinking water. Urgent measures are needed to prevent further plastic waste from entering our oceans and to address the existing plastic pollution.

MCQs on The Impact of Microplastics on the Oceans and Marine Life

  1. What are microplastics?
    A. Fragments of any type of plastic less than 1 mm in length.
    B. Fragments of any type of plastic less than 5 mm in length.
    C. Fragments of any type of plastic less than 10 mm in length.
    D. Fragments of any type of plastic less than 15 mm in length.
    Correct Answer: B. Fragments of any type of plastic less than 5 mm in length.
    Explanation: Microplastics are defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in length. These tiny particles are a significant source of ocean pollution and can cause harm to marine life when ingested.
  2. What are the potential impacts of microplastics on marine life?
    A. Chemical leaching and mechanical damage.
    B. Physical damage and thermal shock.
    C. Electrocution and radiation exposure.
    D. Nutrient depletion and dehydration.
    Correct Answer: A. Chemical leaching and mechanical damage.
    Explanation: Microplastics can cause both mechanical and chemical harm to marine organisms. Ingestion of microplastics can cause physical damage to the organism’s internal systems, such as lacerations and blockages. Additionally, microplastics can leach harmful chemicals into organisms, such as DDT and PCBs.
  3. What is the potential impact of microplastics on the carbon cycle in the ocean?
    A. Microplastics can accelerate the carbon cycle and lead to increased carbon sequestration.
    B. Microplastics can disrupt the carbon cycle and decrease carbon sequestration.
    C. Microplastics have no impact on the carbon cycle in the ocean.
    D. Microplastics can slow down the carbon cycle and increase carbon sequestration.
    Correct Answer: B. Microplastics can disrupt the carbon cycle and decrease carbon sequestration.
    Explanation: Normally, phytoplankton absorbs carbon and are eaten by zooplankton, who excrete the carbon in the form of faecal pellets that sink to the sea floor. Once these carbon-containing pellets reach there, the carbon can be remineralized into rocks, preventing it from escaping back into the atmosphere. But if zooplankton consume microplastics, their faecal pellets sink at a much slower rate, making it less likely that the carbon will reach the seafloor and become permanently sequestered.

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